It will because there arent better options. Tangradi? Williams? McDonald? Jeffrey? MacIntyre? O'Reilly?

It also hampers Shero's ability to make moves, at least to some extent.
- Gunner Staal

Are you implying he was going to trade TK? Not sure what you were getting at?

I will grant you that. But his underwhelming production over the course of the entire season will make his absence less problematic. The others you mentioned aren't going to light world on fire, but then again, neither is TK given his minutes and roll on the team.
- akane13

Even without points he is still more valuable than any of the players I mentioned. Its not a good thing at all he is out.

Are you implying he was going to trade TK? Not sure what you were getting at?
- dbell646

No but when your third or 4th best winger is out for that long it creates a need. It limits depth, which in turn limits options.

Even without points he is still more valuable than any of the players I mentioned. Its not a good thing at all he is out.
- Gunner Staal

The lineup is better with him for sure, but at present and for much of the season, he and the others you mentioned have nearly equally invisible parts given the contributions expected of them. The injury to TK would be a little more difficult to overcome if someone like Jeffrey was still out of the lineup. And no..I'm not impressed by Cal O'Reilly either. I'm still trying to figure out WTF HCDB was thinking when he went before Kunitz in the shootout the other night.

At least TK's injury isn't season ending and he can be back for the playoffs.

deleted post

The lineup is better with him for sure, but at present and for much of the season, he and the others you mentioned are nearly equally invisible parts. The injury to TK would be a little more difficult to overcome if someone like Jeffrey was still out of the lineup. And no..I'm not impressed by Cal O'Reilly either. I'm still trying to figure out WTF HCDB was thinking when he went before Kunitz in the shootout the other night.

At least TK's injury isn't season ending and he can be back for the playoffs.
- akane13

I'm sorry but people have to let that go. It was not a big deal. O'Reilly had a quality chance and made a good attempt at it. He is 5 for 12 with a 41.7% in his career.

Kunitz is 12 for 31 and a 38.7%.

Really splitting hairs there.

The lineup is better with him for sure, but at present and for much of the season, he and the others you mentioned have nearly equally invisible parts given the contributions expected of them. The injury to TK would be a little more difficult to overcome if someone like Jeffrey was still out of the lineup. And no..I'm not impressed by Cal O'Reilly either. I'm still trying to figure out WTF HCDB was thinking when he went before Kunitz in the shootout the other night.

At least TK's injury isn't season ending and he can be back for the playoffs.
- akane13

O'Reilly has better career shootout numbers than Kunitz. I hate the second-guessing of shoot out order. As a coach, I'm sure a lot of it is a hunch, sometimes based on past success, etc..

But if O'Reilly scored, or Jason Williams scored (both, decently talented offensive guys with good career shoot out percentages), Bylsma looks like a genius. But they didn't so people are saying he's an idiot for picking them.

O'Reilly has better career shootout numbers than Kunitz. I hate the second-guessing of shoot out order. As a coach, I'm sure a lot of it is a hunch, sometimes based on past success, etc..

But if O'Reilly scored, or Jason Williams scored (both, decently talented offensive guys with good career shoot out percentages), Bylsma looks like a genius. But they didn't so people are saying he's an idiot for picking them.
- rival22

People don't have Steelers coaches to bash until August, and the Pirates aren't worth it. So I'm guessing that was their fix???

O'Reilly has better career shootout numbers than Kunitz. I hate the second-guessing of shoot out order. As a coach, I'm sure a lot of it is a hunch, sometimes based on past success, etc..

But if O'Reilly scored, or Jason Williams scored (both, decently talented offensive guys with good career shoot out percentages), Bylsma looks like a genius. But they didn't so people are saying he's an idiot for picking them.
- rival22

I was just surprised given the recent success Kunitz has had that he wasn't tapped sooner.

I'm sorry but people have to let that go. It was not a big deal. O'Reilly had a quality chance and made a good attempt at it. He is 5 for 12 with a 41.7% in his career.

Kunitz is 12 for 31 and a 38.7%.

Really splitting hairs there.
- Gunner Staal

Yeah, it's not like O'Reilly pulled a Stamkos or Chris Conner or something, he had a good shot and hit the post.

Yeah, it's not like O'Reilly pulled a Stamkos or Chris Conner or something, he had a good shot and hit the post.
- rival22

I was impressed with his move to be honest, it was incredibly deceptive, specifically how he angled his stick blade and how quick his release was in the opposite direction.

He still sucks at real NHL hockey.

I will grant you that. But his underwhelming production over the course of the entire season will make his absence less problematic. The others you mentioned aren't going to light world on fire, but then again, neither is TK given his minutes and roll on the team.
- akane13

Like I said, maybe the rest will do him good because his wide shots and not going to the slot were not helping.

I'm sorry but people have to let that go. It was not a big deal. O'Reilly had a quality chance and made a good attempt at it. He is 5 for 12 with a 41.7% in his career.

Kunitz is 12 for 31 and a 38.7%.

Really splitting hairs there.
- Gunner Staal

He had a great move and hit the pipe.

No but when your third or 4th best winger is out for that long it creates a need. It limits depth, which in turn limits options.
- Gunner Staal

Got ya. Hey did anyone catch DB's presser yesterday after practice? He made a referrence to Tommy Boy when asked about staals new injury. He said not so much here or here but right here. No one in the entire room got the joke and it was awkward. I was cracking up.

Lines today from the Pens site:

Kunitz-Malkin-Neal
Cooke-Staal-Dupuis
Jeffrey-O'Reilly-Sullivan
Adams-Vitale-Park

Maybe Staal can get Dupuis and Cooke going a little offensively. They've each had a goal recently, but after long droughts.

If I'm coaching this team, I am telling to Jeffrey to find open ice, and shoot every chance you get. He has a good release/shot, and playing with those guys, he is going to get the puck. Pretend your James Neal, find room and fire the puck on net.

Got ya. Hey did anyone catch DB's presser yesterday after practice? He made a referrence to Tommy Boy when asked about staals new injury. He said not so much here or here but right here. No one in the entire room got the joke and it was awkward. I was cracking up.
- dbell646

He did end up explaining it to reporters. I cracked up at it.

Lines today from the Pens site:

Kunitz-Malkin-Neal
Cooke-Staal-Dupuis
Jeffrey-O'Reilly-Sullivan
Adams-Vitale-Park

Maybe Staal can get Dupuis and Cooke going a little offensively. They've each had a goal recently, but after long droughts.

If I'm coaching this team, I am telling to Jeffrey to find open ice, and shoot every chance you get. He has a good release/shot, and playing with those guys, he is going to get the puck. Pretend your James Neal, find room and fire the puck on net.
- rival22

O'Reilly pots one tomorrow afternoon

Like I said, maybe the rest will do him good because his wide shots and not going to the slot were not helping.
- powerhouse

It did seem like his ability to hit the opposing goaltender in the chest with every shot was slipping.

Has Staal torn his ACL in practise yet this morning? Car accident on the way to the arena? It's way too quiet...

Josh Yohe @JoshYohe_Trib Close
Nothing official yet, but every indication is that Jordan Staal will return to the lineup tomorrow against Winnipeg.

Josh Yohe @JoshYohe_Trib Close
Nothing official yet, but every indication is that Jordan Staal will return to the lineup tomorrow against Winnipeg.
- Gunner Staal

Did you see Washington's collapse in the 3rd against them last night? That team misses Backstrom more than we miss Crosby.

He had a great move and hit the pipe.
- powerhouse

I agree, it was a nice move and he hit the pipe. It could be worse the Oilers are using Eric "1 goal" Belanger in shootouts.

I agree, it was a nice move and he hit the pipe. It could be worse the Oilers are using Eric "1 goal" Belanger in shootouts.
- Ben37

Please give us a Hemsky stat update. He must be tearing it up with all the goals the Oilers have scored lately right? Right?

Has Staal torn his ACL in practise yet this morning? Car accident on the way to the arena? It's way too quiet...
- canadianpenfan

Give it some time. He still has to take his skates off after practice and walk out to his car.

Please give us a Hemsky stat update. He must be tearing it up with all the goals the Oilers have scored lately right? Right?
- canadianpenfan

Nope that's y cbj's 4th will get him